Two deaths in four days prompt toxic drug alert in Waterloo region
An increased number of overdoses, including two suspected drug-poisoning deaths during the first four days of December, has prompted the Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy to issue an alert about toxic drugs circulating in the community.
Public health officials believe the substance involved is fentanyl. It’s been reported to cause chest rigidity in some cases, and multiple doses of naloxone have been required to reverse its effects.
“The drug poisoning crisis continues to get worse, not better,” local drug strategy specialist Michael Parkinson told CTV News.
The region says the issue intensified when the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“The increased isolation causes people to use in isolation, which increases the risk of them suffering from a fatal drug poisoning,” said Eugene Fenton, Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy chair.
According to the region, there were 61 opioid-related deaths in 2018 and a similar number in 2019. But in 2020, that number skyrocketed to 106. Ninety-nine deaths were reported in 2021. So far this year, the region says there have been 71 opioid-related deaths.
But Parkinson says that number doesn’t include all drug-related deaths as it only accounts for those linked to opioids.
“Across Ontario in the first ten months of this year, 2,731 people have lost their lives to drug poisoning,” Parkinson said. “In Waterloo region, 96 people have passed away prematurely from drug poisoning.”
He says more is needed from all levels of government to deal with the crisis.
“The problem is drugs are simply not regulated – and that’s what’s killing people,” he said. “And the response from the government is so different than the way we would respond to contaminated Tylenol, contaminated chicken or lettuce.”
The region says increasing safety for those who use is a top priority.
Public health is reminding people to call 9-1-1 if they see someone overdosing and to administer naloxone. It’s also recommended to keep extra naloxone on hand while waiting for emergency services to arrive. If the person slips back into an overdose, administer another dose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful, 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,300 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors.
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
Attracting, retaining pilots an ongoing issue in Canada: industry analysts
Retirements, high training costs and poor pay are fuelling a pilot shortage in Canada, industry analysts say, at a time when travel has surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canadian dollar's outlook for 2023 uncertain as interest rate hikes wane: experts
The outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession, experts said.
China accuses U.S. of indiscriminate use of force over balloon
China on Monday accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it 'seriously impacted and damaged both sides' efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.'
BoC's first summary of deliberations coming this week. Here's what to expect
The Bank of Canada is set to publish its first summary of deliberations Wednesday, giving Canadians a peek into the governing council's reasoning behind its decision to raise interest rates last month.
Beyonce becomes most decorated artist in Grammys history; Harry Styles wins album of the year
Beyonce sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony's most decorated artist in history, but at the end of Sunday's show it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year honour.
First tank sent by Canada for Ukrainian forces arrives in Poland
The first of the Leopard 2 tanks Canada is donating to Ukrainian forces has arrived in Poland.
Disney's Hong Kong service drops 'Simpsons' episode with 'forced labour' reference
Walt Disney Co. has cut an episode from the hit cartoon series 'The Simpsons' that contains a reference to "forced labour camps" in China from its streaming service in Hong Kong, according to a check of the service.
London
-
Londoner just missed being in Turkish quake zone
Kamala Shiriyeva's had a heavy heart as she watched television coverage of two deadly earthquakes which have taken thousands of lives in Turkiye and Syria.
-
London police seize drugs, ammunition from scene of fire
A 29-year-old is facing charges after police found drugs and ammunition at the scene of a Trafalgar Street residential fire.
-
Fatal snowmobile crash claims life of 28-year-old man
South Bruce OPP is investigating the cause of a fatal snowmobile crash on Sunday.
Windsor
-
Five-vehicle crash impacts E.C. Row traffic
There were no injuries reported after a five-vehicle crash in Tecumseh Monday morning.
-
Chatham-Kent police seize firearms, man charged with uttering threats
Chatham-Kent police seized several firearms from a home when arresting a man for uttering threats.
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful, 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,300 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors.
Barrie
-
SIU investigating death of Barrie man
The province's Special Investigations Unit is investigating the death of a 35-year-old man in Barrie Saturday afternoon.
-
Wanted man busted in Barrie
Rama Police Service took Jacob Bruckner into custody Friday after asking for the public’s help in January in locating the 24-year-old man they considered to be armed and dangerous.
-
Marit Stiles officially confirmed as Ontario NDP leader by majority vote
Marit Stiles officially became the new leader of the Ontario NDP on Saturday after a majority of party members voted in favour of the lone candidate.
Northern Ontario
-
Elderly northern Ont. woman turns heads at Grammy Awards
A 78-year-old woman from Sudbury, Ont., -- a Harry Styles superfan -- has become internet famous after announcing the 2023 Grammy Award for Album of the Year on Sunday night.
-
Two arrested in Kapuskasing police investigation, schools closed
Schools in the northern Ontario town of Kapuskasing are closed Monday after Ontario Provincial Police responded to a threat resulting in two arrests.
-
Wanted man busted in Barrie
Rama Police Service took Jacob Bruckner into custody Friday after asking for the public’s help in January in locating the 24-year-old man they considered to be armed and dangerous.
Ottawa
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful, 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,300 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors.
-
Group urges Competition Bureau to investigate Ottawa Hospital project
A group representing construction companies is crying foul over the Ottawa Hospital's agreement with a labour group to build the new $2.8-billion Civic campus.
-
Man, 58, dies in Lanark County snowmobile crash
A 58-year-old man is dead after a snowmobile crash in Lanark County on Sunday.
Toronto
-
Strongest earthquake to hit Buffalo in decades causes rumbles in southern Ontario
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake that struck near Buffalo, N.Y. Monday morning was felt in southern Ontario, officials say.
-
Woman shot inside her vehicle outside of Burlington gym
A woman was shot in the head while leaving the private lot of a gym in Burlington early Monday morning, police say.
-
Masking alone wouldn't have eased respiratory virus surge in the fall: PHO document
Introducing a mask mandate when respiratory viruses surged in the fall may not have eased the crush on pediatric hospitals, a Public Health Ontario science brief obtained by The Canadian Press concludes.
Montreal
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne byelection to be held on March 13
The byelection in Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne to replace former Liberal leader Dominique Anglade will be held on March 13.
-
Black-owned restaurateurs in Montreal making space in the culinary scene
More and more Black-owned restaurants and culinary experiences have begun to dot the landscape of the city's culinary scene, but more is needed to help their communities' gastronomic enterprises thrive.
-
Montreal conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin scores two Grammys
Montreal conductor and pianist Yannick Nézet-Séguin scored two Grammys for his classical works Sunday evening. Nézet-Séguin won best opera recording for "Blanchard: Fire Shut Up In My Bones," and best classical solo vocal album for "Voice Of Nature - The Anthropocene."
Atlantic
-
Several Maritime schools closed after frigid weekend, hundreds without power in N.S.
Hundreds of Nova Scotians are without power Monday morning following frigid temperatures and high winds over the weekend.
-
Storm Watch: School closures and cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.
-
Cape Breton University, striking faculty reach tentative agreement
Striking faculty members at Cape Breton University have reached a tentative agreement with the university.
Winnipeg
-
Bonnie Raitt wins Grammy for cover of Manitoba band's song
American singer Bonnie Raitt took home three Grammy Awards this weekend, including one for a cover she did of a Manitoba band’s song.
-
‘Those are memories you retain for a long, long time’: Main and Matheson Salisbury House up for sale
An iconic remnant of a beloved Manitoba restaurant chain is now on the market.
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful, 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,300 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors.
Calgary
-
'Absolute nightmare': Calgarians call attention to the children unable to leave Ukraine
A group of Calgarians gathered along Memorial Drive Sunday to draw attention to what they call "disgusting" treatment of Ukrainian children.
-
Calgary police seek teen missing since end of January
Calgary police are looking to the public for help finding a teen who has been missing since late last month.
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful, 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,300 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors.
Edmonton
-
Family of man slain in northeast Edmonton searching for answers
An Edmonton family is in mourning after the sudden death of their son and brother in the city's northeast.
-
Powerful quake rocks Turkiye and Syria, kills more than 2,300
A powerful, 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkiye and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,300 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors.
-
Canadian dollar's outlook for 2023 uncertain as interest rate hikes wane: experts
The outlook for the loonie in 2023 largely depends on commodity prices, how the U.S. dollar fares, and whether central banks are successful in avoiding a major recession, experts said.
Vancouver
-
Man found dead in Vancouver’s Chinatown, police investigating as homicide
A homicide investigation has been launched in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood where a man was found dead Monday.
-
Homicide investigation launched in Surrey after woman found dead, man seriously injured
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been deployed to Surrey’s Guildford neighbourhood, where a woman was found dead Sunday evening.
-
‘It's my only wish’: Grieving Surrey mother still waiting for justice in daughter's slaying
Two years after a young woman in Surrey was gunned down, her family says they still waiting for justice.